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Home , Apocalyptic literature, John Barton (theologian)

GATEWAY SEMINARY Ontario Campus S5446-01: Apocalyptic Literature: (3 credit hours) Michael Kuykendall Spring 2017 360-882-2173 office [email protected] [email protected]

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

This seminar is an introduction to the primary literature, language, , and message of the apocalyptic genre, with specific emphasis placed on the .

SEMINAR OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. To become familiar with the apocalyptic genre, particularly definitions, purposes, themes, motifs, and characteristics of . 2. To become familiar with the significant literature of the apocalyptic genre, particularly Jewish and Christian apocalypses. 3. To become familiar with the theology, message, and content of the book of Revelation. 4. To become familiar with the different methods available for interpreting the book of Revelation, along with their strengths and weaknesses. 5. To sharpen skills, including critical reading, research, writing, and presentation skills. 6. To deepen our need for humility and openness when debating controversial issues such as .

SEMINAR REQUIREMENTS

Students take notice: this seminar assumes major reading and some writing to be completed prior to seminar week. The rest of the semester, then, is centered on some reading, some writing, but principally on a research paper and presentation.

1. Summary Reports

Each student will write three 10-12 page summary reports, one each for Collins, Sandy, and Bauckham. These will serve as personal guides for class discussion as well as future resources. Emphasis should be placed on summarizing, and understanding key themes and arguments.

2. Research Paper

Each student will complete a 25-30 page research paper on one of the topic areas listed below. The paper will follow Turabian (8th ed.) on form. It is due one week prior to presentation to both the professor and to students. Send your email attachment (PDF) to everyone in the seminar. The topic and schedule presentation will be confirmed by the conclusion of seminar week, January 27, 2017.

1 Recommended Helps

Three resources are highly recommended. First, Part I of Turabian offers help in research and writing. Second, William B. Badke, Research Strategies, 5th ed. (New York: iUniverse, 2014), especially chapter two, does the same. Third, Richard Paul and Linda Elder, The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts & Tools, 7th ed. (Dillon Beach, CA: Critical Thinking Foundation, 2014), is an excellent resource on how to think critically about the resources you access. Together, these three resources will help narrow down a topic, ask the correct questions, find the best resources, and effectively evaluate resources. Approach your research paper from this angle:

 Well-chosen problem, clearly stated in introduction  Reasonable purpose of study and significance of topic  Demonstration of knowledge of related literature  Sufficient knowledge of needed tools (e.g., languages, computer, etc.)  Organization of paper; logical sequence; unity of each section  Appropriate bridges between sections  Concise summary of findings  Clear conclusions, reflecting problem and purpose, and any synthesis  Judicious use of sources, including variety (e.g., dictionaries, books, journals, commentaries, academic web)  Control of bias

Since the apocalyptic genre overlaps , intertestamental, and other books besides Revelation, the professor is open to shaping the research project with the student’s major field in mind.

Potential Research Paper Topic Areas

See the resources for more topic ideas. Here are areas to consider:

 Defining the genre called in the Ancient Near East  Old Testament Apocalyptic Literature—e.g., Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah  Jewish Apocalyptic Literature—e.g., 4 Ezra, Enoch literature, , Jubilees, Qumran literature, Diaspora apocalypses, etc.  Christian Apocalypses—e.g., Ascension of Isaiah, Sibylline literature, Shepherd of Hermas, , etc.  Non-Jewish and Non-Christian Apocalypses—e.g., Persian literature, wisdom motif, etc.  New Testament Apocalyptic Literature—e.g., (and/or its parallels in the synoptics), Pauline portions (1 Thessalonians 4-5; )  Book of Revelation—genre, theology, methodology, history of interpretation, , structure, an approved exegetical portion, textual issues, use of symbolism, use of Old Testament, etc.

2 3. Presentation of Research Paper

Each member of the seminar will have half an hour to present his/her research paper to the rest of the class. Since a close reading of each paper is assumed beforehand, students must not use their presentation time to reread the paper. Instead, summarize your research in such a way that parallel fruit, synthesis, and further research ideas are included. (Turabian includes a nice guide at the end of Part I).

4. Response Paper

Each student will prepare a one-page typewritten response to each research paper. One half hour will be devoted to responding to the paper and the presentation. Help your fellow students out by praising and critiquing the paper. Make two copies—one for the professor with your name on it, and one for the presenter which may be anonymous. Divide your response into these three categories:

 Form—does it follow Turabian form?  Style—is it free from grammar and punctuation errors? Does it exhibit a good structure, organization, and flow? Is the writing style effective (strong vocabulary, topic sentences, short sentences and paragraphs, sentence variety, etc.)  Content—does it demonstrate the depth and breadth of research on this topic? Are the resources strong? Is critical thinking, synthesis, and significance evident?

TEXTS

Bauckham, Richard. The Theology of the Book of Revelation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993. [ISBN: 978-0521356916]

Class Notes. I will send these to enrolled students prior to seminar week.

Collins, John J. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016. (ISBN: 978-0802872791)

Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002. (ISBN: 978-0801022999)

Sandy, D. Brent. Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical and Apocalyptic. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002. (ISBN: 978-0830826537)

GRADING

 Class attendance and participation 10%  Three summary reports 20%  Research paper 50%  Research paper presentation 10%  Response to other papers 10%

3 SEMINAR SCHEDULE

DATE/TIMES DISCUSSION TOPICS READING/ASSIGNMENTS Before Pre-seminar preparation Students will have read Collins, Sandy, January 26 and Bauckham in preparation for class discussion during seminar week. In addition, the first 400 pages of Osborne should be at least skimmed, if not read. Seminar Week Session One Discuss Collins Summary on Collins is due January 26 Discuss Sandy (8:30-11 am) Discuss the Apocalyptic Genre Session Two Discuss Bauckham Osborne 1-49 January 26 Discuss Theology, Methodology, (2-5 pm) History of Interpretation, and Millennial Views Session Three Revelation 1-3 Osborne 50-217 January 27 (8:30-11 am) Session Four Revelation 4-7 Osborne 218-338 January 27 Paper topics and presentation times (2-5 pm) confirmed Seminar Weekends Session One Revelation 8-10 Summary on Sandy is due February 24 Paper presentations and Osborne 339-407 (8:30-11 am) discussion Session Two Revelation 11-13 Osborne 408-522 February 24 Paper presentations and (12-3 pm) discussion Session One Revelation 14-16 Summary on Bauckham is due April 7 Paper presentations and Osborne 523-604 (8:30-11 am) discussion Session Two Revelation 17-18 Osborne 605-661 April 7 Paper presentations and (12-3 pm) discussion Session One Revelation19-20 Osborne 662-725 May 5 Paper presentations and (8:30-11 am) discussion Session Two Revelation 21-22 Osborne 726-799 May 5 Paper presentations and (12-3 pm) discussion

4 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

(A fuller, annotated bibliography will be delivered with the class notes)

On the Apocalyptic Genre

Carey, Greg, and L. G. Bloomquist, eds. Vision and Persuasion: Rhetorical Dimensions of Apocalyptic Discourse. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1999.

Charles, R. H., ed. The and of the Old Testament. Volume II: Pseudepigrapha. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913.

Charlesworth, James H. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha and the New Testament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985.

Charlesworth, James H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. Volume I: Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1983.

Collins, John J. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016.

———. Apocalypse, Prophecy, and Pseudepigraphy: On Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2015.

———. Apocalypticism and the . New York: Routledge, 1997

Collins, John J., ed. Apocalypse: The Morphology of a Genre. Semeia 14. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1979.

———. The Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism. Volume 1: The Origins of Apocalypticism in and Christianity. New York: Continuum, 2002.

DiTommaso, Lorenzo. A Bibliography of Pseudepigrapha Research, 1850-1999. Sheffield, England: Sheffield University Press, 2001.

———. “Apocalypses and Apocalypticism in Antiquity (Part I).” Currents in Biblical Research 5:2 (2007): 235-286.

———. “Apocalypses and Apocalypticism in Antiquity (Part II).” Currents in Biblical Research 5:3 (2007): 367-432.

———. The Architecture of Apocalypticism. Oxford: , 2013.

Garcia Martinez, Florentino, ed. Wisdom and Apocalypticism in the Dead Sea Scrolls and in the Biblical Tradition. Leuven: Leuven University Press, 2003.

5 Grabbe, Lester and R. D. Haak, eds. Knowing the End from the Beginning: The Prophetic, the Apocalyptic, and Their Relationships. : T. & T. Clark, 2003.

Hanson, Paul D. The Dawn of Apocalyptic. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1975.

Hanson, Paul D., ed. Visionaries and Their Apocalypses. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1983.

Hellholm, David, ed. Apocalypticism in the Mediterranean World and the Near East, 2nd ed. Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1989.

Helyer, Larry R. Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Lewis, Scott M. What Are They Saying about New Testament Apocalyptic? New York: Paulist Press, 2004.

McGinn, Bernard, ed. The Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism. Volume 2: Apocalypticism in Western History and Culture. New York: Continuum, 2000.

Murphy, Frederick J. Apocalypticism in the and Its World. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2012.

Nickelsburg, George W. E. Jewish Literature Between the Bible and the Mishnah, 2nd ed. Nashville: Fortress Press, 2005.

Rowland, Christopher and John Barton, eds. Apocalyptic in History and Tradition. London: T. & T. Clark, 2003.

Russell, D. S. The Method and Message of Jewish Apocalyptic, 200 BC-AD 100. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1964.

———. Divine Disclosure: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992.

Sandy, D. Brent. Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002.

Sandy, D. Brent, and Daniel M. O’Hare. Prophecy and Apocalyptic: An Annotated Bibliography. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2007.

Schneemelcher, Wilhelm, ed. . Volume Two: Writings Relating to the Apostles; Apocalypses, and Related Subjects, rev. ed. Translated by R. McL. Wilson. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1992.

Stein, Stephen J., ed. The Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism. Volume 3: Apocalypticism in the Modern Period and the Contemporary Age. New York: Continuum, 2003.

6 VanderKam, James C. and William Adler, eds. The Jewish Apocalyptic Heritage in Early Christianity. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1996.

Yarbro Collins, Adela, ed. Early Christian Apocalypticism: Genre and Social Setting. Semeia 36. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1986.

On the History of

Abanes, Richard. Visions. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998.

Baumgartner, Frederic J. Longing for the End: A History of Millennialism in Western Civilization. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1999.

Boyer, Paul. When Time Shall Be No More. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1992.

Camp, Gregory S. Selling Fear: Conspiracy Theories and End-Times Paranoia. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997.

Chamberlin, E. R. and the Millennium. New York: E. P. Dutton, 1975.

Chandler, Russell. Doomsday: The End of the World—A View through Time. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Publications, 1993.

Clouse, Robert G., ed. The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1977.

Cohn, Norman. The Pursuit of the Millennium. Rev. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1970.

Cunningham, Andrew and Ole Peter Grell. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Religion, War, Famine, and Death in Reformation Europe. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Daniels, Ted. Millennialism: An International Bibliography. New York: Garland, 1992.

Davidson, James West. The Logic of Millennial Thought: Eighteenth-Century New England. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1977.

Erickson, Millard J. A Basic Guide to Eshchatology. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998. (Originally titled Contemporary Options in Eschatology: A Study of the Millennium. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1977).

Fuller, Robert. Naming the Antichrist: The History of an American Obsession. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.

7 Grenz, Stanley J. The Millennial Maze: Sorting Out Evangelical Options. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1992.

Harrison, J. F. C. The : Popular Millenarianism 1780-1850. London: Routledge, 1979.

Hunt, Stephen, ed. Christian Millenarianism: From the Early Church to Waco. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2001.

Kyle, Richard. The Last Days Are Here Again. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1998.

Landes, Richard A. Whilst God Tarried: Disappointed Millennialism and the Genealogy of the Modern West. New York: Basic Books, 1999.

Landes, Richard A., ed. Encyclopedia of Millennialism and Millennial Movements. New York: Routledge, 2000.

McIver, Tom. The End of the World: An Annotated Bibliography. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1999.

McGinn, Bernard. Antichrist: Two Thousand Years of the Human Fascination with Evil. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1994.

———. Visions of the End: Apocalyptic Traditions in the . New York: Columbia University Press, 1979.

Numbers, Ronald L. and Jonathan M. Butler, eds. The Disappointed: Millerism and Millenarianism in the Nineteenth Century. Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press, 1993.

O’Leary, Stephen D. Arguing the Apocalypse: A Theory of Millennial Rhetoric. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.

Thompson, Damian. The End of Time: Faith and Fear in the Shadow of the Millennium. Hanover, NH: University of New England Press, 1996.

Wainwright, Arthur W. Mysterious Apocalypse: Interpreting the Book of Revelation. Nashville: Abingdon, 1993.

Weber, Eugen. Apocalypses: , Cults, and Millennial Beliefs Through the Ages. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1999.

Weber, Timothy P. Living in the Shadow of the Second Coming. 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987.

8 ———. On the Road to : How Evangelicals Became Israel’s Best Friend. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004.

Major Commentaries on the Book of Revelation

Aune, David. E. Revelation. Word Biblical Commentary. 3 vols. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1997, 1998.

Beale, G. K. The Book of Revelation. New International Greek Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Beale, G. K. and D. A. Carson, eds. A Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2007.

Beasley-Murray, George R. The Book of Revelation. New Century Bible Commentary. Greenwood, SC: Attic Press, 1974.

Blount, Brian K. Revelation: A Commentary. New Testament Library. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009.

Boxall, Ian. The Revelation of Saint John. Black’s New Testament Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2006.

Brighton, Louis. Revelation. Concordia Commentary. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1999.

Caird, G. B. The Revelation of St. John the Divine. Harper’s New Testament Commentaries. New York: Harper & Row, 1966.

Chilton, David. The Days of Vengeance: An Exposition of the Book of Revelation. Fort Worth: Dominion Press, 1987.

Easley, Kendell. Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998.

Fee, Gordon D. Revelation. New Covenant Commentary. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2011.

Ford, J. Massyngberde. Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. Anchor Bible. Garden City, NE: Doubleday, 1975.

Gregg, Steve, ed. Revelation: Four Views, A Parallel Commentary. Rev. ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012.

Harrington, Wilfred J. Revelation. Sacra Pagina. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1994.

Hughes, Philip E. The Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1990.

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Johnson, Alan F. Revelation. Expositor’s Bible Commentary, rev. ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006. Johnson, Dennis E. The Triumph of the Lamb: A Commentary on Revelation. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 2001.

Keener, Craig S. Revelation. NIV Application Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

Kistemaker, Simon J. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001.

Koester, Craig. Revelation. Anchor Yale Bible. Doubleday: Garden City, NY. 2014.

Kovacs, Judith and Christopher Rowland. Revelation. Blackwell Bible Commentaries. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 2003.

Krodel, Gerhard A. Revelation. Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament. Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1989.

Mangina, Joseph L. Revelation. Brazos Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010.

Michaels, J. Ramsey. Revelation. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997.

Mounce, Robert H. Revelation. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1998.

Murphy, Frederick J. Fallen Is : The Revelation to John. London: T & T Clark, 1998.

Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.

Patterson, Paige. Revelation. New American Commentary. Nashville: B & H, 2012.

Poythress, Vern S. The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian & Reformed, 2000.

Prigent, Pierre. Commentary on the Apocalypse of St. John. Translated by Wendy Pradels. Tubingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 2004.

Reddish, Mitchell G. Revelation. Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 2001.

Resseguie, James L. The Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2009.

10 Rotz, Carol. Revelation. New Beacon Bible Commentary. Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press, 2012.

Schussler Fiorenza, Elisabeth. The Book of Revelation: Justice and Judgement. 2nd ed. Nashville: Fortress Press, 1998.

Smalley, Stephen S. The Revelation of John: A Commentary on the Greek Text of the Apocalypse. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2005.

Thomas, John Christopher. The Apocalypse: A Literary and Theological Commentary. Cleveland, TN: CPT Press, 2012.

Thomas, John Christopher and Frank Macchia. Revelation. Two Horizons Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2016.

Thomas, Robert L. Revelation: An Exegetical Commentary. 2 vols. Chicago: Moody Press, 1992, 1995.

Witherington, Ben III. Revelation. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003.

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